TRENTON - PolyGone Systems, a Princeton University spinoff cleantech company that is pioneering technology to remove microplastics from waterways, and the Atlantic County Utilities Authority were honored with a Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the Historic Masonic Temple.
The 26th annual awards program, administered by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, recognizes individuals, businesses, organizations and communities that make exceptional efforts to protect the environment and advance solutions across diverse environmental matters in New Jersey. The awards program has been New Jersey’s premier environmental awards program since 2000. The DEP, New Jersey Infrastructure Bank and the New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology sponsor the program.
The annual awards are given to individuals, businesses, organizations and communities that make exceptional efforts to protect the environment and advance solutions across diverse environmental matters, including environmental justice, climate change, sustainability and education. Deputy Commissioner Kati Angarone and I-Bank Executive Director David Zimmer presented the awards.
“On behalf of the Governor, DEP and the I-Bank are proud to honor all of this year’s awardees for their spirited dedication to protecting the environment we all share and the health of our communities,” Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said. “Their passion and dedication serve as an inspiration to us all and exemplifies why New Jersey is a national leader in environmental protection.”
From left, Deputy NJDEP Commissioner Kati Angarone, ACUA President Matthew DeNafo, PolyGone Co-Founder Yidian Liu, and I-Bank Executive Director David Zimmer.PolyGone and ACUA received the Watershed Management and Water Resources award for the microplastics removal project operating at the authority’s wastewater treatment facility in Atlantic City.
The project, which opened in September 2024, is the world’s first municipal-scale microplastic removal system. The project uses a filtration system to capture microplastics from treated wastewater before it is released into the ocean. Since its opening, it has successfully captured millions of microplastic particles.
A panel of judges evaluate nominations for their impact on the environment, actions to address the needs of New Jersey, leadership and innovation, and use of outreach and educational activities to make an impact in their community.
For more information on the project, visit www.polygonesystems.com or www.acua.com/microplastics.
Read more about the project here.
